Flat panel display including a hinge assembly

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for a flat panel is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a flat panel assembly and a hinge mechanism coupled to the flat panel assembly. The hinge mechanism is adaptable to an industry standard mount and a non-industry standard mount. A system and method in accordance with the present invention allows for the replacement of a non-VESA standard compatible display mount with a display mount that is compatible with the VESA standard. Utilizing the system and method in accordance with the present invention, such a replacement can be accomplished with minimal effort, and in an efficient manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Under 35 USC §120, this application is a continuation application andclaims benefit of priority to commonly-owned U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/400,471, filed on Feb. 20, 2012, and currently issuing asU.S. Pat. No. 8,387,928; which is a divisional application and claimsbenefit of priority to commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/476,182, filed on Jun. 1, 2009, and currently issuing as U.S. Pat.No. 8,118,269; which is a continuation application and claims thebenefit of priority to commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/112,177, filed Apr. 22, 2005, entitled “Flat Panel Display IncludingA Hinge Assembly”, all the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to displays and moreparticularly to flat panel displays utilized within an integrated systemenvironment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flat panel displays have advanced to the point of being comparable withCRTs with respect to resolution, color capabilities and image quality.In most environments, flat panel displays are more desirable than CRTsdue to their compact, portable size and low weight.

In an integrated computer system environment it is desirable to be ableto mount and remove the display from an integrated computer system in aneasy and convenient manner. In addition, due to the proliferation ofdifferent and incompatible flat panel display interfaces, it isdifficult, costly and time consuming to integrate flat panel displaysinto notebook computers, instrumentation and other devices withintegrated displays.

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) has developed a flatpanel display interface standard that standardizes mountingspecifications. Accordingly, it is desirable that a flat panel displayhave a VESA compliant mounting system and also be able to be adapted toa non-VESA compliant mounting system.

Accordingly, what is desired is a flat panel display which can rotate ina variety of directions, be easily mounted in an integrated computerenvironment, and which is also VESA compliant yet able to be adapted toa non-VESA compliant mounting system. The flat panel display should becost effective, easily adapted to existing integrated computerenvironments and be easily removed from and mounted in such anenvironment. The present invention addresses such a need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus for a flat panel is disclosed. The apparatus comprises aflat panel assembly and a hinge mechanism coupled to the flat panelassembly. The hinge mechanism is adaptable to an industry standard mountand a non-industry standard mount.

A system and method in accordance with the present invention allows forthe replacement of a non-VESA standard compatible display mount with adisplay mount that is compatible with the VESA standard. Utilizing thesystem and method in accordance with the present invention, such areplacement can be accomplished with minimal effort, and in an efficientmanner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of a first embodiment of thedisplay mechanism which allows for replacing a display mount with aVESA-compliant display mount in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the display and stand of FIG. 1 andthe hinge mechanism.

FIG. 3 illustrates a VESA-compliant display mount adapter attached tothe back cover of a display in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the back of a display when removing the stand inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4A shows the back of the panel display to illustrate the externalhinge mechanism.

FIG. 5 shows snapping the bumpers into place on each side of theVESA-compliant mount adapter.

FIG. 6 shows the VESA-compliant mount adapter being attached to thehinge mechanism in accordance with the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the display assembly.

FIG. 8 shows the front cover and the metal shield attached together toform a single unit before the hinge mechanism is put in place.

FIG. 9 shows the attached front cover and the metal shield attached tothe hinge mechanism.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view which shows the metal shield and the frontcover coupled to each other.

FIG. 11 shows an assembled display which includes a back cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates generally to displays and moreparticularly to flat panel displays utilized within an integrated systemenvironment. The following description is presented to enable one ofordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is providedin the context of a patent application and its requirements. Variousmodifications to the preferred embodiments and the generic principlesand features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited tothe embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistentwith the principles and features described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of a first embodiment of thedisplay mechanism which allows for replacing a display mount with aVESA-compliant display mount in accordance with the present invention.In this first embodiment a stand 102 is coupled externally to thedisplay 104 utilizing a hinge assembly (not shown). FIG. 2 illustrates aside view of the display 104 and stand 102 of FIG. 1 and the hingemechanism 106.

FIG. 3 illustrates a VESA-compliant display mount adapter 302 attachedto the back cover of a display in accordance with the present invention.

A system and method in accordance with the present invention allows formounting either a conventional display or an integrated computer displayto either a VESA compliant mount or to a non-VESA compliant mount orstand.

Utilizing the system and method in accordance with the presentinvention, such a replacement can be accomplished with minimal effort,and in an efficient manner. The system and method can be implemented ina display wherein the attachment hinge mechanism is completely externalto the display or the mechanism can be partially internal to thedisplay.

To describe these two embodiments, refer now to the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

First Embodiment

In a first embodiment of the present invention, an external hingemechanism is provided which allows for a pivoting joint for a displayutilizing either a VESA compliant mount or non-VESA compliant mount orstand. The hinge mechanism utilizes a combination of tension springs andfriction hinges for counterbalancing the weight of the display. Todescribe the features of the present invention in more detail, refer nowto the following description in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures.

FIG. 4 illustrates the back of a display 104 when removing the stand 102in accordance with the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 4, a hextool 402 is utilized to loosen and remove the screws 404 from the hingeassembly 106 that attach the stand 102 to the back of the display 104.

FIG. 4A shows the back of the panel display to illustrate the externalhinge mechanism 106. The VESA-compliant mount adapter 302 is also shown.

FIG. 5 shows snapping the bumpers 502 into place on each side of theVESA-compliant mount adapter 302. After removing the stand 102 theVESA-compliant mount adapter 302 can be attached to the display 102 inthe following manner. Screws and bumpers 502 are obtained for theappropriate style of display. The bumpers 502 can be snapped into placeon each side of a VESA-compliant mount adapter 302.

FIG. 6 shows the VESA-compliant mount adapter 302 being attached to thehinge mechanism 103 in accordance with the first embodiment of thepresent invention. The mount adapter 302 is placed over the hingemechanism 103 on the back of the display 104. The hex tool 602 isutilized to screw the mount adapter 302 to the display 104.

Accordingly, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6 the attachment hingemechanism 103 is external to the display.

Second Embodiment

In a second embodiment of the present invention, a hinge mechanism whichis partially internal and partially external to the display is providedwhich allows for a pivoting joint for a display. The second embodimentcomprises a metal shield, plastic back cover and a hinge mechanism, allof which form part of the integrated computer display. In this type ofdisplay the processing system electronics are inside the display.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the display assembly 700. As is seenthe display assembly 700 includes a hinge mechanism 703, a metal shield704 and a front cover 706. FIG. 8 shows the front cover 706 and themetal shield 704 attached together to form a single unit before thehinge mechanism 703 is put in place.

FIG. 9 shows the attached together front cover 706 and the metal shield704 attached to the hinge mechanism 703.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view which shows metal shield 704 and the frontcover 706 coupled to each other. The hinge mechanism 703 is positionedon the metal shield 704. The external portion 1004 of the hingemechanism 703 which is attached to the VESA-compliant mount adapter (notshown) is shown exploded away from the hinge mechanism 703. In the frontof this assembly would be located the electronic components (not shown)and the display (not shown).

FIG. 11 shows an assembled display which includes a back cover 1102. Asis seen, the external portion 1004 protrudes from a slot 1104 in theback cover 1102. The VESA-compliant mount 302 is shown separately. Theremoval and attachment of the mount whether VESA-compliant ornon-standard could be accomplished by utilizing the two screws asdescribed in FIGS. 4-6.

Accordingly, in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-11 the resultingdisplay would look like that shown in FIG. 1-3. In this secondembodiment the hinge mechanism 703 is partially internal to the displayassembly.

A system and method in accordance with the present invention allows forthe replacement of a non-VESA standard compatible display mount with adisplay mount that is compatible with the VESA standard. Utilizing thesystem and method in accordance with the present invention, such areplacement can be accomplished with minimal effort, and in an efficientmanner.

Although the present invention has been described in accordance with theembodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readilyrecognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and thosevariations would be within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Although the metal shield is depicted with a specific designand shape, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize thatthe metal shield can be of a different design and shape and thosevariations would be within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. In addition, although the flat panel display assembly isdisclosed in the context of a VESA standard, one of ordinary skill inthe art recognizes that the assembly could be any industry standardassembly and its use would be within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Finally, the front and back covers of the assembly could bemade of a variety of materials and their use would be within the spiritand scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications maybe made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a flat panel assembly;a hinge mechanism directly coupled to the flat panel assembly to allowfor tilting of the flat panel assembly between at least two non-parallelplanes, wherein the hinge mechanism is configured to attach to a mountthat is non-VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association)-compliant;and a mount adapter having a first interface coupled to thenon-VESA-compliant hinge mechanism, wherein the first interfacecomprises a contiguous generally elongated tubular portion across anentire length of the first interface, the mount adapter having a secondinterface rigidly coupled to the first interface and configured forattachment to a mount that is VESA-compliant.
 2. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the hinge mechanism is completely external to the flat panelassembly.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinge mechanismincludes a same fastening mechanism for removing and attaching both themount adapter and the non-VESA compliant mount onto the hinge mechanism.4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the fastening mechanism consists ofscrews.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a bumper coupled to themount adapter.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the bumper isconfigured to interface with the flat panel assembly to stabilize themount adapter against the flat panel assembly.
 7. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the first interface comprises an aperture disposed along thecontiguous generally elongated tubular portion.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the second interface comprises a generally flatsurface.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the generally flat surfacecomprises one or more apertures.
 10. A method, comprising: providing aflat panel assembly; directly coupling a hinge mechanism to the flatpanel assembly to allow for tilting of the flat panel assembly betweenat least two non-parallel planes, the hinge mechanism configured forattachment to a mount that is non-VESA (Video Electronics StandardsAssociation)-compliant wherein the hinge mechanism is completelyexternal to the flat panel assembly; and directly coupling a mountadapter having a first interface to the non-VESA-compliant hingemechanism, wherein the first interface comprises a contiguous generallyelongated tubular portion across an entire length of the firstinterface, the mount adapter having a second interface rigidly coupledto the first interface and configured for attachment to a mount that isVESA-compliant.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the hinge mechanismcomprises a common fastening mechanism for removing and attaching boththe mount adapter and the non-VESA compliant mount onto the hingemechanism.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the common fasteningmechanism comprises two screws.
 13. A device comprising: a firstinterface configured to be coupled to a non-VESA (Video ElectronicsStandards Association)-compliant hinge mechanism, wherein the firstinterface comprises a contiguous generally elongated tubular portionacross an entire length of the first interface; and a second interfaceconfigured to be coupled to a VESA-compliant mount.
 14. The device ofclaim 13, wherein the second interface comprises a generally flatsurface.
 15. The device of claim 14, comprising a first arm and a secondarm each extending from the second interface.
 16. The device of claim15, comprising a first bumper coupled to the first arm and a secondbumper coupled to the second arm.
 17. The device of claim 16, whereinthe first bumper and the second bumper are configured to interface witha flat panel assembly to stabilize device when in contact with the flatpanel assembly.
 18. The device of claim 15, wherein the first interfaceis disposed between the first arm and the second arm.
 19. The device ofclaim 18, wherein the contiguous generally elongated tubular portion isconfigured to interface with at least two arms of the non-VESA-complianthinge mechanism.
 20. The device of claim 14, wherein the generally flatsurface comprises one or more apertures each configured to receive afastening mechanism.